ENERGIA All-IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 1B

Naas 34 – UCC 28.

Photos thanks to Michael Linehan and Martin Rowe

Naas recorded their third successive Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B victory when they defeated UCC at home last Saturday afternoon. There was a smaller than normal attendance present, due to the ludicrous decision of the IRFU to schedule this game at the exact same time as the Ireland v Italy Six-Nations match. This is certainly no way to promote the club game in Ireland.

The smaller attendance led to a muted atmosphere early on and the play on the pitch reflected this. Thankfully the second-half was a lot better. Naas were in front after just seven minutes. The UCC flanker Jason Aherne received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, and the home side elected to run the resulting penalty. A number of phases stretched the visitors defence before finally the ball was moved out wide to Donal Conroy who scored in the corner. Craig Ronaldson was narrowly wide with his conversion attempt but Naas led by 5-0.

It must be said that for the remaining time in the first-half UCC had more possession and territory. They reduced the lead after 13 minutes when after Naas were penalised for handling in a ruck, Cian Whooley punished the indiscretion with a successful penalty kick from 30 yards out, and the visitors spurned a great chance to take the lead after 23 minutes. Their pack won a scrum penalty which was dispatched to touch. From the line-out they set up a driving maul, but referee Glenn Sheridan penalised them for truck and trailing and Naas were able to clear their lines.

They were made to rue this on 29 minutes when Naas scored a sensational try. Following a long bout of kicking, Donal Conroy decided enough was enough when he received the ball deep in his own half, electing to run it back at UCC. He sidestepped one challenge and when he was hauled down he offloaded to Charlie Sheridan. The latter then beat two defenders before racing down the right wing. There was to be no catching the Naas man and he rounded off the move by scoring under the posts. The conversation was a formality for Craig Ronaldson and Naas led 12-3.

UCC came mightily close to scoring a try after 39 minutes, but the Naas defence did superbly well to stop Luke McAuliffe grounding the ball when he crossed the try line. Soon afterwards the referee Glenn Sheridan blew the half-time whistle, leaving the score at the interval 12-6 in favour of Naas.

The second-half saw the standard of play rise up several notches and the scoreboard operator was certainly kept a lot more busy. Within two minutes UCC narrowed the gap when following another award of a scrum penalty to them, Cian Whooley was on target from 40 meters to make it 12-6. But they were rocked by the concession of another try just 90 seconds later. Their full-back Louis Bruce attempted to run the ball out of defence, but when stopped his offload did not go to hand. Donal Conroy was on the loose ball in an instance, he fly-kicked it ahead and then gathered to score beside the posts. Craig Ronaldson added the extras and Naas led 19-6.

UCC responded with a try of their own after 48 minutes. Good carries by their pack put Naas on the backfoot, before the visitors moved the ball wide right out to Sean Condon who showed great speed to get in at the corner. Cian Wholley was unable to kick the conversion.

Naas secured the try scoring bonus point after 54 minutes with a brilliant try. From a scrum on half-way the ball was moved into midfield to Charlie Sheridan, who sliced through the visitor’s defence. He then passed inside to Henry Smith who in turn fed Conor Halpenny, and the Naas scrum-half scored under the posts. A try that would grace any match. Bryan Croke tapped over the conversion and Naas were 26-11 in front.

UCC however would not surrender tamely, and after 57 minutes following a series of pick and drives by their pack, Jason Aherne got over from close range. Cian Whooley kicked the conversion and when he was successful with a penalty attempt after 69 minutes all of a sudden they were back within one score of Naas at 26-21.

However Naas quickly snuffed out this fightback. Within three minutes Bryan Croke kicked a penalty after a late tackle on Fionn Higgins, and then the latter rounded off another fine personal display when finishing off some great work by the pack with a try after 79 minutes. Although this conversion was missed Naas now led 34-21.

UCC to their credit never stopped trying and they were rewarded with a try deep into injury-time by Patrick McBarron which secured them a losing bonus point. Cian Whooley kicked the conversion, but immediately afterwards referee Glenn Sheridan blew the full-time whistle with Naas victorious on a 34-28 scoreline.

As stated this was the third successive victory for Naas in this league, following on from victories over Banbridge and St. Mary’s College. They are certainly hitting form at the right time and are now in a position to give a big push for a play-off spot. To do that every game is now vital, and next up for them is an away trip to Malone next Saturday afternoon. Kick-off is at 2.30pm and as always all support will be greatly appreciated.

Naas: Bryan Croke, Donal Conroy, Charlie Sheridan, Henry Smyth, Fionn Higgins, Craig Ronaldson, Conor Halpenny, Adam Coyle, Nato Kiripati, Conor Doyle, Paul Monahan (capt), David Benn, Eoin Walsh, Will O’Brien, Ryan Casey. Replacements: Tadgh Dooley, Stephen Lackey, James O’Loughlin, Cillian Dempsey, Derry Lenehan, Andrew Osborne.

UCC: Louis Bruce (capt), Matthew O’Callaghan, Darragh French, Daniel Squires, Sean Condon, Cian Whooley, Oliver Young, Rory Duggan, Luke McAuliffe, Daniel McCarthy, Sam O’Sullivan, Mark Bissessar, Jason Aherne, Conor Booth, Patrick McBarron. Replacements:Billy Kingston, Corey Hanlon, David O’Halloran, Sean Edogbo, Liam Ormond, Aaron Quirke

Referee: Glenn Sheridan.